Body
“The physical frame, used also metaphorically of a group”
Summary
The physical frame of humans and animals, viewed in Scripture as God's good creation, the temple of the Holy Spirit, and destined for resurrection.
☩God's Good Creation
Unlike Greek philosophy which often denigrated the body as the prison of the soul, Scripture views the body as part of God's good creation. God formed man's body from the dust of the ground and breathed into it the breath of life. The incarnation—God becoming flesh in Christ—demonstrates the body's dignity and worth.
☩Temple of the Holy Spirit
The bodies of believers are temples of the Holy Spirit, purchased at the price of Christ's blood. This truth grounds Paul's ethical exhortations: because the body belongs to God, sexual immorality, drunkenness, and abuse of the body are sins against the Spirit's dwelling. Believers are to glorify God in their bodies, presenting them as living sacrifices.
☩The Body of Christ
Paul uses 'body' as a powerful metaphor for the church: believers are members of Christ's body, with Christ as the head. Each member has distinct gifts and functions, but all are interdependent and essential to the whole. The Lord's Supper focuses on Christ's body given for us, and the bread symbolizes both His physical body and the unity of His spiritual body, the church.
☩Resurrection of the Body
Christianity affirms not merely immortality of the soul but resurrection of the body. Christ's bodily resurrection is the firstfruits and pattern of the believer's resurrection. The resurrection body will be transformed—imperishable, glorious, powerful, and spiritual—yet in continuity with the present body, as Christ's was with His. Creation groans awaiting the redemption of our bodies.
Related Verses160 mentions
See Also
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Body," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. I (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Body," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. I (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.James Hastings (ed.), "Body," in Dictionary of Christ and the Gospels, vol. I (T. & T. Clark, 1906–1908).